e> (WORM) Any type of storage medium to which data can be written to only a single time, but can be read from any number of times. Typically this is an ef="module.php?name=Lexikon&file=search&eid=1&query=optical disk">optical disk whose surface is permanently etched using a laser in order to record information. WORM media have a significantly longer shelf life than magnetic media and thus are used when data must be preserved for a long time. (1996-04-01)
